Game & Gorillas: 8 day Uganda & Rwanda Private Safari
This unforgettable journey takes you through Uganda — the Pearl of Africa — and remarkable Rwanda for one of the most powerful wildlife experiences on Earth: coming face to face with endangered mountain gorillas.
In Uganda, explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to elephants, hippos and the famous tree-climbing lions. Then head into the misty Bwindi Forest for your first gorilla trek.
Cross into Rwanda to discover Volcanoes National Park, where more gorilla encounters await. Or choose to track golden monkeys or hike to Dian Fossey’s grave. End in Kigali with a moving visit to the Genocide Memorial — a haunting reminder of Rwanda’s dark past and its incredible recovery into one of the most well-kept, forward-thinking countries in Africa.
Day 1: Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight The Boma Hotel.
Day 2: Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to airport for your short flight to Kihihi from where you will explore Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This park set in the Great Rift Valley is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the park includes the southern Ishasha area with its tree climbing lions and Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda.
Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day 3: Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park at your own pace, with plenty of opportunities for game viewing. As the sun dips low, pause for sundowners and snacks in the bush — golden light, wide horizons, and the sounds of the wild all around you.
Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Activities and Services
Afternoon
Ishasha Wilderness Camp Sundowner Drinks
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Head south on a 2–3-hour drive through scenic countryside, with a short stop at a local Community Project en route.
Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site. Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.
Overnight Buhoma Lodge.
Activities and Services
Morning
Wild Frontiers Ishasha Community Visit
Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
One of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe. Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is well worth the hike to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.
Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek or explore the surrounding Bwindi community. Optional activities that may be enjoyed in and around the park include forest walks, visits to a local school/ orphanage/ Batwa pygmy village/ Ride for a Woman programme, or curio shopping.
Overnight Buhoma Lodge
Activities and Services
Morning
Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 6: Volcanoes National Park
From Bwindi, we drive through the ‘Little Switzerland of Africa’ along winding mountain roads, and through rural villages, to the border of Rwanda, Kisoro. Here, on a clear day, the Virungas can be seen ‘standing sentry’ along the border – a row of massive, dormant volcanoes watching over the region. It’s a long day, approx 7-8 hours on the road with a +- 1 hour border crossing.
Crossing into Rwanda, we continue to our Gorilla Trekking base, and overnight at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.
Day 7: Volcanoes National Park
Trekking gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park is a very similar experience to that in Bwindi – just as challenging, equally memorable. If you’ve opted not to trek today, take a hike to Dian Fossey’s grave or enjoy a forest walk with Golden Monkeys. You will only be able to enjoy one of these activities (as they all take place in the morning) and pre-booking is essential.
Overnight Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.
Optional
Morning
Gorilla Trekking Volcanoes National Park
Morning
Wild Frontiers Dian Fossey Tomb
Morning
RDB Golden Monkey Tracking
Day 8: End of Itinerary
Drive to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. City tour and visit to the haunting Genocide Museum.
Transfer to the airport, where your safari comes to an end. Thank you for exploring the magic of East Africa with us!
Activities and Services
Morning
Wild Frontiers Kigali Genocide Memorial
Includes:
Airport transfers in Entebbe and Kigali
Vehicle with English speaking local driver/ guide throughout
Bottled water in safari vehicle
1 night at The Boma Hotel including breakfast
Domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
All park entrance fees
2 nights Ishasha Wilderness Camp on a full board basis including local drinks
Bush sundowner drinks in Ishasha
Community visit en route from Ishasha to Bwindi
2 nights Buhoma Lodge on a full board basis including local drinks
2 nights Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge full board basis
Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
Full liability insurance cover
Compulsory emergency evacuation insurance in Rwanda
24-hour emergency contact
Excludes:
Gorilla Permits in UGANDA (rates vary by passport nationality)
Gorilla Permits in RWANDA (rates vary by passport nationality; contact us for African passport holder discounts if applicable)
All international flights and airport taxes
Personal expenses such as porters, drinks, tips, visas, health requirements and travel insurance
Services/activities/meals not included above